Electromagnetic hill holder for vehicles



June` 7, 1949. NlssEN 2,472544 y ELECTRMAGNETIC HILL HOLDER FOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 21, 194e HENRY VSSE/V Patented June 7, 1949 ELECTROMAGNETIC HILL HOLDER FOR VEHICLES Henry Nissen, Hartford, Conn., assigner to Alfred Minukas, Hartford, Conn.

Application January 21, 1946,' Serial No. 642,483

11 Claims. l

This invention relates to an electro-magnetic hill holder for vehicles and comprises generally a manually operable, solenoid actuated, valve means for selectively preventing release of pressure upon the brakes of a hydraulic Ibrake system for vehicles, to maintain the brakes in actuated condition, at any desired pressure.

The primai'y object oi the invention is the provision of a reliable, inexpensive and simple attachment for hydraulic brake systems, which can readily be installed in any existing system and which will nfot impair or alter the normal functioning of such systems.

An impo-rtant object of the invention is the provision of an attachment oi the nature above described, which will lock or freeze the brakes at any portion of their actuating range.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of an attachment in accordance stantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modiiied form n of plunger employed in the device of Figure 1;

With the flegrlg objects, which permits the :"1=

application of increased brake pressure without disturbing its non-return, locking effect upon the system.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an attachment in accordance with 515 each of the foregoing objects, whereby the hydraulic system may be locked without necessitating the continued attention or presence of the driver.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an attachment in accordance with each of the foregoing objects, whereby the device is assisted or facilitated into opening and seating movement by the passage of the brake iluid.

An additional object of the invention is the provision in a device of the nature described, of a valve means having self-cleaning and self-moving features fof structure, enhancing thereby its durability and eiiiciency.

An auxiliary object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature described, which may be rendered inoperative until a vital electrical circuit of the vehicle, such as the ignition system, is energized.

A secondary object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature described, wherein immediate release of the hydraulic lock is effected.

These and other important objects, as will become later apparent, are attained in the invention as set forth in the following description and drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken subtion of passages 50.

and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View showing the invention applied to the hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 4 indicates diagrammatically a motor vehicle indicated generally at I0, including a hydraulic brake system oi any suitable design and comprising the customary brake pedal l2, operatively associated with the master cylinder i4. Pressure line IG extends from the master cylinder to any desired type of conduit assembly connecting with'each of the wheel brake cylinders, and in the present instance is shown as consisting oi a fitting I8, from whence laterally extending lines 2l), terminating in tttings 22, are associated with forwardly and rearwardly extending lines 24, leading to the individual wheel brake cylinders, not shown.

Disposed at any desired point in the pressure line between the master cylinder and the Wheel brake cylinders, is the improved hydraulic locking means forming the s-ubject of this invention and indicated generally at 26. By way of example, I have shown this means conveniently positioned in the line I6, between the master cylinder I4 and the fitting I8.

Turning now to Figure 1, it will be seen that the lock means 26 is formed with a body member 28, depending from an end portion 30 of reduced diameter, provided adjacent its end with out- Wardly turned iianges 32. Aligned, coaxial bores 34, 3B of any preferred diameter, are provided in the portions 28 and 3G', and are separated by an integral partition 38. It will be understood that bores 34 and 3B, may @optionally consist of a single continuous bore Within which the partition member 38, is separately mounted. The outer extremities of the bores are closed by appropriate, externally threaded and centrally apertured closure members 40 and 42, into which are fitted screw threaded nipples 44 and-46 respectively, for attachment to the pressure line I6, i6 in any customary manner.

The partition 33 is centrally apertured at il and is further perforated by a circular series of passages 50. A cup-shaped flexible valve member52, appropriately formed of rubber or the like,v is snugly received in the bore 34, seating upon the partition 38 and overlying the termina- An axial bore 54 in the -asiat 18, isian electro-magnetic coil 8E).

. automobile storage battery 9D.

.normal .manner vas follows: .brakepedal I2 will cause the pressure from the .ing a rotation of the plunger. pulse of the fluid displaced-by the master cylinscribed above.

'fluid upon the inclined ute '12.

member 52 corresponds to and is aligned with the passage 48 and with an axial bore 5t? in an annular valve seating member 58. The latter carries a circumferential retaining flange Gil for a spring 62, operatively disposed between said flange and a recess seat 64 in the closure cap lili, in a manner to resiliently bias the valve member 52 into sealing` engagement with the passagesil.

Slidably disposed in the bore 3E, is a plunger 66, loosely received for reciprocation and rotation therein. A valve member 68, protruding from the adjacent end of plunger 6B, operatively cooperates with the axial passages t8 and 54. for. a purpose to be later described. Integral stops or lugs 'l0 upon the juxtaposed extremity of the plug 4'2, provide limiting means to preventI the plunger 66 from obstructing the passage in the plug d2. Longitudinally disposed upon the periphery of plunger 66, are a plurality of helical or inclined utes or grooves 12, providing fluid passages around the plunger and constituting plunger rotating and reciprocating means as hereinaftei1 set forth.

Housed in a, compartment 14, formed by the cylindrical wall of the reduced portion 3E), the

.flange 32, a shoulder uponthe member 28 and a sleeve 16 snugly embracing the flange 32, and screwthreadedly engaging the body member 2B Terminals..82,..84, mounted upon the flange 32, are electricallyv connected to the extremities of the coil 8U and `are engaged by conductors .86, 33, which,

ignition vswitch .92 and the manually operable .switch 94. are connected in series in the circuit i. with the battery and coil.

..use. 1With ,themanually operated switch Si open,

the hydraulic brake system will function in its Actuation of the mastencylinder `l2,.,to travel through the locking `cylinder 2.6,.lines |6,2 and .2li .to the wheel cylinders, energizing the Wheel brakes to the eX- tent proportional to the Ydeg-ree .of movement irnparted to pedal l2. Referring to Figure 1,. it can be seen that the pressure nuid from. the vmaster cylinder travelstherefrom to .the tting 136, plug 42and .into the .bore 36. .The pressure impulse .by-passes the loosely .fitting .plunger B6 through the grooves .'12, .the .angularity ofthe latter effect- Under the imder, the plunger -is forced into its position at the -left end of .the -bore 36, thereby causing its valve Y. B8 to lenter and close the axial passagelS. This seating movement of the plunger has caused the expulsion `of the uid infront of the structure, through the passages 4850 and bores 54,55 into .thebore .3,4,..whence,.it .is forced by way yof the .aligned bores and .plugs `Mland fitting 44 into the line l land thence to the wheel cylinders as de- It isto be noted thatmovement of the plunger is eiected by two combined factors, the oW of .fluid ,pressing against the base ofthe plunger, andthe reactionof the .flowing This latter factor causes reciprocation of the plunger as well as 'rotation of the same. When the plunger has seated valve 68 in passage 48, continued .flow of fluid is permitted by the .iiutes 12 and the passages The conventional .back'to the-'master cylinder. xoperatiomithe plunger is displaced to the right .passage G8.

' state of actuation.

5D. At this time the exible sealing means or valve member 52 is deformed by the pressure allowing the fluid to enter the bore 34, to further augment the pressure applied to the brake cylinders.

Upon release of the brake pedal I2, the brake springs cause return flow in the reverse direction However, in this end of bore 36, the valve 68 now unmasking the The cup valve 52 now seals the bores 50 and the fluid returns through the axial passagethrough members 58, 52 and 38, and thence by way of the flutes "l2 to the bores in members Maand 15. It will be observed that in general the fluid medium, during such pressure actuation of the brakes, advances through passages 5i) and returns through passage 48, in both directions causing the reciprocation and rotation of the plunger BG.

When it isdesired to utilize `the functions of this invention to selectively freeze the brakes, or prevent their reverse movement, the manual switch 94 is actuated, energizing the coil 8G and causing the plunger or solenoid 66 to be biased to the seating pozition of valve 68 with bore 48. All fluid in the lines is now trapped and the pedal l2 ymay be released by the driver at his convenience or. according to the needs of the situation without any relaxing of .the brake pressure on the wheel cylinders. .Once the locking action has been inaugurated, the brakes can only be releas-ed by deenergizationcf the coil 8c which will permit plunger 66 to retract valve 63, opening the outlet port lili. However, the pressure .of the brakes can be freely increased, if so desired. Further actuation of the pedal I2 will force additional iluid through grooves 12, passages 5t, `past the flexible valve 52 and into the brake pressure line. To release the hydraulic lock, it is merely necessary to manually actuate switch 94', deenergizing the coil whereupon the fluid is released to flow back to the master cylinder in the manner described.

This arrangement is inherently capable of numerous advantages. As willbe readily perceived, it provides a foolproof means for freezing or locking the hydraulic system in an .existing `It relieves the driver from exerting aconstant foot pressureupon the pedal to maintain the brakes engaged or from the widespread and detrimental factors of holding the car on an incline by use of the clutch. It can freeze the brakes, as for an emergency stop or .forparking standing, etc., completely releasing the driver from further attendance upon the controls of the vehicle, if desired.

Moreover, it permits a driver .and especially Woman driver to effect a greater sustained brake pressure if desired. In this mode of employment it will be readily comprehended that an operator can physically exert a greater torce, for short intervals, upon the brake .pedal than hecan sustain continuously. Consequently, the use of this lock will permit .the holding and sustaining for indefinite periods, of the maximum pressure which the operator is capable vof exerting for even the shortest interval. In other words, the optimum "pumping pressure,which the driver .can exert is retained, a result impossible of attainment .with the .conventional hydraulic brake system.

The particular .structure .of .the y.device vas set forth above possesses numerous useful advantages and possibilities. vFor example, in someinstallations it may be preferable to cause reciprocation of the plunger and valve only by energizing the coil. This function could readily be attained by making the plunger G5 sumciently heavy, the flutes l2 of sufciently great cross-sectional area for the fit of plunger in bore 3B of suicient looseness, or any combination o-f these, for the fluid to pass the plunger with ease, without moving the latter. Alternatively, it may be preferable in certain installations to make the plunger respond to uid movement, as set forth hereinbefore, in which case the solenoid would be required and used merely as a retaining means for the plunger and valve. The utes serve to rotate as well as to assist in the reciprocation of the plunger. This rotation is advantageous for several reasons. First, it causes a relative rotation of the valve when engaging or leaving its seating engagement with the passage d8, thereby insuring even seating, the clearing away of any obstructions or deposits which might deleteriously eiect the valve action and preventing actual wear from creating ridges in the seat. Second, the rotating action serves to prevent any tendency of the device to bind or seize in its bore due to cooking therein. Third, the edges of the flutes, will eifect a scraping or knife action on the walls of the bore, maintaining them clean and free `from the deposit of gummy matter or other obstruction.

It will be readily apparent, that I as the exigencies of the situation dictate, form the grooves as axial, straight, longitudinal grooves, inclined slots or as spiral flutes. Further, the plunger is of such construction that it may be expeditiously formed from a variety of materials. When a light weight construction is preferred. it may be formed largely of a suitable plastic, being readily adapted to molding, with efficient magnetic material bein-g employed to enable action by the coil.

My invention further comprehends the use of a graduated series of interchangeable plungers .for selective use in the bore 35, thereby adapting the device to a variety of special installations re- .l

qniring varying characteristics of performance in the solenoid valve member.

Alternatively, the plunger may be constructed as shown in Figure 3, wherein a cylindrical member |36 carries the valve member E68 and is pierced by a series of axial bores H2, constituting by-pass elements. rlhese bores may be disposed either as axial bores parallel to the cylinder axis, or as angularly inclined passages to eiect the rotation of the member. This embodiment possesses the advantage that the plunger member may fit closer in the bore, with less frictional engagement therewith, due to the absence of eX- ternal edges. Otherwise, the operation is the sa as that of element 6B of Figure l.

Attention is directed to the possibility of locating the switch 9d in Various convenient positions. One such position which I find particularly advantageous is the mounting upon the rim or in proximity to the .steering wheel where it may be manipulated without the necessity of releasing the steering Wheel.

Although as shown. the hydraulic lock is incorporated between the master cylinder la and the coupling il?, in the single line l where it controls equally the operation of all the hydraulic brake cylinders, it is comprehended in the scope of this invention that it may be included in any line of the system to control a predetermined one or group of brake cylinders where its use to freeze or lock a portion only of the brake cylinders may be desirable.

Contributing to its adaptability to various systems and installations, is the ease of attach'- ment. The only necessary alteration of an existing, operative system is the cutting of one fluid line and the connecting of the severed ends to the iittings 44 and 4B.

The iewness of its moving parts, the simplicity of its construction all contribute towards its inexpensiveness and dependability, while its ease or" operation greatly enhances the eiciency of the driver and of the vehicle.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing including a chamber therein, a partition disposed in said chamber, a solenoid coil surrounding said chamber and a solenoid plunger snugly fitted and slidable therein, a fluid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, additional passages in said partition, and uid passages in said plunger.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said ud r passages include a plurality of spiral grooves provided in the outer periphery of said plunger.

3. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing, a partition dividing said casing into first and second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said first chamber and a solenoid plunger snugly fitted and slidable therein, a uid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said rst chamber with opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, conduits on the opposite ends of said casing, and an annular valve seating member in said second chamber having a bore aligned with said iluid passage and spring means urging said sealing member and said valves toward said partition.

4. In a fluid pressure brake system for vehicles having a brake operating cylinder and a Wheel brake cylinder connected therewith, a fluid flow control comprising a casing, a partition dividing said casing into first and second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said first chamber and a solenoid plunger snugly fitted and slidable therein, a fluid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said rst chamber with opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and conduit means on the opposite ends of said casing from said partition.

5. In a fluid pressure brake system for vehicles having a brake operating cylinder and a Wheel brake cylinder connected therewith, a fluid flow control comprising a casing, a partition dividing said casing into iirst and second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said rst chamber and a solenoid plunger snugly iitted and slidable therein, a fluid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said rst chamber with opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and conduit means on the opposite ends of said casing from said partition, said by-pass means being carried by said plunger.

6. In a fluid pressure brake system for vehicles havingrabrake operating cylinderand a `wheel brake cylinder connected therewith, a fluid flow control; comprising la casing, a ,partition dividing said casing into rst and second chambers, a solenoid coil vsurrounding said rst chamber and .a solenoid plunger `snugly fitted and slidable therein, a uid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, 1ily-pass means connecting said rst chamber Awith opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and conduit means onthe opposite ends of said casing from saidmpartition, said-'gby-pass vmeans being'carried by said'pl'unger and'being .spirally inclined relative to `the axis thereof to produce reciprocation and rotation of saidfplunger :invn'esponse to passage of fluid therethrough.

i7. Ina fluid pressure brake system for `vehicles Shaving a brake operating .cylinder and a wheel ,brakeccylinder connected therewith, a ,fluid flow .control comprising a casing, a .partition dividing said casing into rst and second chambers, ra .solenoid coilsurrounding .said irst rchamber `and .a solenoid plunger snugly iitted :and slidable therein, :a huid passage through 'said `partition .anda valve on said plunger ycontrollingsaid passagefby-pass means connecting said iirst cham- :ber with-opposite ends `of .said plunger, additional :passages through `said partition, secondwa-lve means insaid second chamber yieldingly 'closing `.sa-icl:additional passages, and conduitmeans on Y-tliezopposite-ends of said 'casing from vsaid 'partition-said second valve means comprising a cup- .shaped flexible member having a Ybore aligned with said iiuid passage, said flexible member hav- .ingsealihg engagement with the vwalls of said :second ,-chamber.

.18.I-n a fluid pressure brake system -for vehicles shaving a brake operating cylinder and a wheel :brake cylinder connected therewith, a iiuid iiow controlpomprising a casing, a partition ydividing said'casingninto first vand second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said iirst chamber and alsolenoid plunger snugly iitted and vslidable ,-therein, a-,ztiuid passage through said partition :andaitalve on said plunger Acontrolling said passage, .by-pass means connecting said liirst chamberfwith opposite ends -of `said plunger, additional passages through said partition, second valve means in .said second chamber yieldingly -closing `said .additional passages, and conduit means on rthe opposite ends of said casing from said partition, `said second valve .means comprising 'a cupshapedexible memberhaving a 4bore aligned .with-.said fluid passage, said flexible member having=-sealingengagement with the walls of said sec- ,and chamber, `an annular valve seating member 'in -said second chamber having `a bore aligned yaffitti-.said fluid-passage and spring means urging said -seating member ,and valves toward said par- -said casinginto firstandsecond chambers, .a solenoidk coil .surrounding said first chamber and a solenoid plunger ,snugly fitted and ,slidable therein, a uid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said first chamber with opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second .chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and conduit means on the 'opposite ends 4of said casing from said partition, said chambers being axially aligned.

10. In a fluid pressure brake system for vehicles having a brake operating cylinder and a wheel brake cylinder connected therewith, a fluid flow -control comprising a casing, a partition dividing said casing into first and second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said first chamber and a solenoid plunger snugly iitted and slidable therein, a fluid passage through said partition and a Valve on Said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said irst chamber with oppositeends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said sec- -ond chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and conduit means on the opposite ends of said casing from said partition, said chambers being axially aligned, said duid passage being axial of said chambers and said additional passages being parallel to the aXis of said chambers.

11. In a fluid pressure brake system for vehicles having a brake operating cylinder and a `wheel brake cylinder connected therewith, a iiuid iioW control comprising a casing, a partition dividing said casing into rst and second chambers, a solenoid coil surrounding said first chamber 'and a solenoid plunger snugly fitted and slidable therein, a uid passage through said partition and a valve on said plunger controlling said passage, by-pass means connecting said irst chamber with opposite ends of said plunger, additional passages through said partition, valve means in said second chamber yieldingly closing said additional passages, and 'conduit means 'on the opposite ends of said casing from said partition, said by-pass means being carried by said plunger and being formed as grooves in the exterior surface thereof.

HENRY NISSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ci this patent:

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